While attending the University of New Haven in the '80’s, David Peterson took to the UNH gridiron as a defensive end. Today, he maintains his love of football but now focuses his talents on pursuing another of his passions: private enterprise.
Peterson has owned and operated a number of successful businesses over the past two decades, ranging from sports entertainment restaurants to printing businesses to credit card platforms. His companies have experienced strong growth and expansion through streamlining operations, acquiring new enterprises and ensuring that each business under his umbrella is the best in its field.
Peterson’s interest in entrepreneurship started when he was a boy living in his home town of Edgewater, New Jersey. Working for his uncle’s industrial cleaning firm, he learned from the ground up how to run a company. One day he was sent to clean the office of a trucking company president and was impressed with the grandness of the place, a marker of the multi-millionaire executive’s success. Both the company president and Peterson’s uncle inspired and mentored Peterson to be successful in his own right when he grew up.
Today, Peterson is president and CEO of 4 Media Online, a credit card technology and consulting business which has locations in Florida, Los Angeles, Toronto and Spain. The company insures maximum client profitability and competitive advantage, by virtue of the firm’s technological expertise and superior fraud detection.
A resident of Coral Springs, Florida, Peterson is fervent about giving back to the community and prides himself on affiliations with organizations which make an impact. He is actively involved with Soldiers’ Angels, an organization that provides aid and comfort to the men and women of the U.S. Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and their families. He also is a member of Indian Princess Seminole Nation, an organization dedicated to providing services that enrich the father and daughter bond, and with Soles4Souls, which distributes shoes to people in need. Peterson’s main priority though is spending quality time with his wife and his two daughters, both of whom inherited his athletic prowess, competing in volleyball matches in school and across the country.
A member of UNH’s Board of Governors, Peterson organizes the University’s yearly alumni football trip to Miami, which brings together former Charger football players for three days of networking and socializing. The event, which includes a Miami Dolphins football game, generates support for the University of New Haven football program.
Peterson credits his education and his involvement with sports at UNH for instilling many qualities in him: the ability to adapt to an ever-changing environment, juggle challenges, set goals and map a plan for success, as well as discipline, teamwork and respect.
“My UNH coaches and professors were positive role models who were fundamental in shaping who I am today. The UNH experience provided me with a degree and the tools to help achieve my ultimate goal of running a successful business worldwide. I am proud to be part of the UNH team,” Peterson says.
His motto? “Plan your work and work your plan. Without a plan you will fail.” Always living by this creed, Peterson’s next plan is to sell his business, retire, and become a consultant.
Family, football, business and community. From the looks of it, David Peterson has scored a touchdown on all counts.
Posted Summer 2010
